On December 6, 2014, the National Honor Society members held a Jingle Jog 5K run to help raise money for the New Haven track.Members of NHS had to meet at the New Haven Elementary School cafeteria at 7 A.M. to help set up some last-minute things. They set up tables where runners could sit once they were done with the race. One table contained baked goods made by the members and hot cocoa. Besides the table were three coolers that had water bottles and gatorade. Members also set up a starting and finish line outside. To make it Christmasy, they made it to look like candy canes and it was actually built by the NHS members. While they did that, others went around town to set up the arrows to mark the course. Some members were assigned to stay at an arrow to encourage the runners as they went by. Once the other members were finished setting up, they went back to the elementary to wait for the race to begin.

There were about eighty people who ran the race. Some of the runners even included teachers such as Mr. Tucker, who pushed his son Robert in his stroller, Mr. Pruessner, Mrs. Schwab, Mr. Hagedorn, and Ms. Allen. When the runners came up to the table to pick up their ID number, they also received a bag. The bag included a bell that they could wear around their neck, and a green shamrock hat that could keep them warm as they ran.

Hannah Kruse had a few things to say about the race, “The volunteers did an awesome job, and everything went very smoothly. My favorite part was getting to run with my cross country friends and seeing all the volunteers around the route.”

Emily Moreno commented, “The Jingle Jog seemed welcoming. Everybody basically knew everybody, and it was like a huge family/friend reunion. I definitely thought it was fun and successful. My role was to design basically all the sponsors signs that were there before the day of the Jingle Jog.”

Dakota Schroeder added, “The Jingle Jog was super fun! Maddie [Fleer] and I ran it together, and I enjoyed it so much! This was my first 5k, and it was an enlightening experience! I would definitely do it again! Not to mention in the end we got cookies and cocoa!”

The overall winners of the Jingle Jog were Grant Uthlaut of Hermann, and Julia McIntyre of New Haven. The overall spirit winners were Terri, Taylor, and Tatum Scheer and Maggie Hoener, and Stephanie and Addison Pehle for their Christmas trees and presents costumes.

Although the weather was cold, the 2014 Jingle Jog turned out to be a big success not only for National Honor Society, but also for the Track Project. Through the Jingle Jog, NHS raised a total of over $1700 to donate towards the new track. Way to go National Honor Society for organizing a fun, charitable event for the track!